Whenever Trump Sours On Dan ‘Mr. Rogers’ Coats, Pence Brings Him Back From Brink

US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on August 2, 2018. - The US government on Thursday accused Russia of carrying out a "pervasive" camp... US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on August 2, 2018. - The US government on Thursday accused Russia of carrying out a "pervasive" campaign to influence public opinion and elections, in a public warning just months before crucial legislative elections. "We continue to see a pervasive messaging campaign from Russia to try and weaken and divide the United States," said Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP) (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Whenever President Donald Trump goes cold on DNI Dan Coats — who Trump privately sneers at as “Mister Rogers” due to what he perceives as an unwillingness to implement directives — it’s Vice President Mike Pence’s job to smooth both men’s feathers.

According to a Tuesday NBC News report, the breaking point came in December when Trump suddenly decided to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, a decision that pushed former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to quit.

Pence reportedly convinced Coats not to follow suit until at least the summer. He said that two top defense officials leaving at the same time would be too tumultuous for the administration.

The relationship between Trump and Coats fractured early, when Coats was unable to hide his annoyance at Trump’s insistence that he was wiretapped by the Obama administration. Apparently, Coats’ inability to control his facial expressions has repeatedly landed him in hot water with the thin-skinned President.

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